A Rom | F Nap | A Ven | Games | Opening Name |
---|---|---|---|---|
-Ven | -ION | -Tyr | 41 | Player's Guide, Opening 3, Obrieni Attack, Tyrolia Attack |
-Apu | -ION | HOLD | 38 | Player's Guide, Opening 1-Variant, Lepanto |
-Apu | -ION | -Tyr | 31 | Player's Guide, Opening 1, Lepanto |
-Ven | -ION | -Pie | 28 | Alpine Chicken, Italian Shuffle, Konigratz Freakout |
-Apu | -ION | -Pie | 16 | Player's Guide, Opening 1-Variant, Lepanto |
-Apu | -ION | -Tri | 15 | Player's Guide, Opening 4, Key Lepanto, Three Fleets Opening |
-Tus | -TYS | -Pie | 15 | Player's Guide, Opening 2, Western Lepanto |
-Ven | -TYS | -Pie | 12 | Alpine Chicken |
-Ven | -ION | -Tri | 12 | Stab Lepanto, Austrian Attack |
-Nap | -ION | HOLD | 11 | Naples Lepanto |
-Tus | -TYS | HOLD | 7 | Unnamed |
-Ven | -TYS | -Tyr | 6 | McGivern's Opening |
HOLD | -TYS | HOLD | 5 | Unnamed |
-Nap | -ION | -Tyr | 4 | Unnamed |
-Ven | -ION | -Apu | 4 | Anti-hedgehog Lepanto |
-Nap | -ION | -Tri | 4 | 3 Fleets Opening |
-Tus | -ION | HOLD | 3 | Unnamed |
-Ven | -TYS | -Tri | 3 | Unnamed |
HOLD | -ION | HOLD | 3 | Unnamed |
-Nap | -ION | -Apu | 3 | Lepanto |
HOLD | -TYS | -Pie | 3 | Unnamed |
-Tus | -ION | -Pie | 3 | Unnamed |
HOLD | -TYS | -Tus | 2 | Unnamed |
-Nap | -ION | -Pie | 2 | Lepanto |
HOLD | -ION | -Apu | 2 | Classical Lepanto |
-Tus | -TYS | -Tyr | 2 | Unnamed |
-Nap | -TYS | -Pie | 2 | Unnamed |
HOLD | -TYS | -Tri | 1 | 3 Fleets Opening |
-Tus | -TYS | -Tri | 1 | Unnamed |
-Apu | -ION | -Tus | 1 | Unnamed |
HOLD | -TYS | -Apu | 1 | Unnamed |
-Nap | -TYS | -Rom | 1 | Unnamed |
-Nap | -TYS | -Tyr | 1 | Unnamed |
-Ven | -ION | -Tus | 1 | Unnamed |
-Ven | HOLD | -Tri | 1 | Unnamed |
-Tus | -ION | -Tri | 0 | Unnamed |
HOLD | -TYS | S Mun-Tyr | 0 | Unnamed |
(2) A specific variation of the Lepanto series of Italian opening moves. Lepantos in general feature the Spring 1901 moves F Nap-ION and A Rom-Nap, followed by F ION C Nap-Tun in autumn, to secure a build of F Nap). The full Lepanto would then be pursued with the moves F Nap-ION, F ION-EAS and then F EAS C Tun-Syr (or Smy), thus embodying a four season strategy directed against Turkey (Italy's traditional rival for naval supremacy in the Mediterranean). Indeed, the Lepanto takes its name from the Sixteenth Century Battle of Lepanto in which an Austro-Italian fleet defeated the Turks. In practice, however, the Lepanto is rarely pursued beyond Autumn 1901, after which Italian players usually prefer to develop a more flexible strategy. As an answer to the Juggernaut, the Lepanto may be the best Italian opening, assuming as it does no grave threat from Austria. With this in mind, an American player, Jeff Key, developed the "Key Lepanto", in which Austria agrees to give A Ven passage through Trieste to attack Serbia (or Greece, through Albania). Unfortunately for agreeable Austrian players, most Italians allowed into Trieste refuse to move out in Autumn, with horrific consequences for beleaguered Austria. Consequently, despite the overwhelming popularity of the Lepanto as an opening, the Key Lepanto itself is rarely seen.
(3) The Lepanto was devised by Edi Birsan. The standard Lepanto involves A Ven H, A Rom-Apu and not, as stated, Rom-Nap. (See Lepanto.)
In subsequent seasons, Italy orders: (Fall 1901) A Apu-Tun, F ION C A Apu-Tun, (Winter 1901) build F Nap, (Spring 1902) F ION-EAS, F Nap-ION, A Tun H, (Fall 1902) A Tun-Syr, F ION & F EAS C A Tun-Syr.
This is an attack on Turkey in alliance with Austria. It is often enormously effective. Turkey can block it by building F Smy and ordering F Smy-EAS. However, Italy can order F ION-AEG instead, threatening a convoy into Bul, Con, or Smy.
The order A Ven-Tyr is not favored in many quarters (the alternatives are A Ven H or A Ven-Pie). Of the alternatives, the first is too passive and indicates distrust of Austria; it does, however, have the advantage that A Ven H, A Apu S A Ven, F ION-Tun in Fall 1901 saves Ven if Austria puts two units on it and still allows Italy to build. The second alternative needlessly antagonizes France. It can be used, however, if there is an Anglo-French alliance for sure and Italy wants to help Germany.
A Ven-Tyr is positive and powerful. It allows A Tyr-Mun if there is an Anglo-German alliance threatening France. This will bolster the French defense and help keep the West stalemated. A Ven-Tyr may also stand off a German sneak attack from Munich. It also gives the possibility of A Tyr-Boh (and thence to Gal), adding to Austria's defensive line if this is necessary. On no account should Italy stab Austria. The short-term gains may be all right, but the long-term price is not something Italy would wish to pay."